An Escondido teenager pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to vehicular manslaughter among other charges relating to a road-rage crash that killed another teen last Friday night.
Prosecutors say Juan Rebollar, 18, intentionally hit the car of 19-year-old Jose de Jesus Garcia following a disturbance at a party that continued as the two teens drove off. Rebollar doesn’t have a driver’s license.
Rebollar also pleaded not guilty to hit and run and assault with a deadly weapon involving a car. Bail was set at $500,000.
The situation started after two left a party. Rebollar told investigators that he saw the victim try to run his friend, in a separate car, off the road, so he followed him, said Deputy District Attorney Keith Watanabe.
The two then engaged in a "cat-and-mouse" race on Bear Valley Parkway and Valley Parkway with speeds reaching 100 mph, Watanabe said.
That's when police said Rebollar intentionally struck the pickup with his own vehicle. This caused Garcia to lose control of his pickup, leading to the crash into the pillar, police said.
Watanabe said Rebollar drove his car for several more blocks, but then ditched it nearby. It was later found by police with significant damage. Meanwhile, Garcia was rushed to the hospital, where he later died.
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Prosecutors say the next day, Rebollar went to Escondido’s police station and claimed his car was stolen. However, in an interview later with investigators, he admitted to striking the victim’s pickup because, he said, the victim “bumped him first,” prosecutors say.
Police are also looking for another driver of a black Honda Accord -- Rebollar's friend "Mike" whom Rebollar said was run off the road.
If convicted on all charges, Rebollar could face 11 years in prison.
